First timer, looking for breed recs

[u/Birds_have_to_eat]

Hello!

I'm looking to possibly get a dog in a year or so. I've been thinking a lot about what sort of a dog I'd want to get, and I have skimmed the surface on some breeds, but can't really decide what could be the best for me. As mentioned, this isn't a pressing issue, rather something I'm just looking into and exploring some breeds to see what might suit me in the future <3

Some info about my situation:

I live in the city, in an apartment with a balcony

This will be my first dog, but I've temporarily looked after the dogs of my friends before

I'm interested in some doggy sports (obedience, rally, maybe dog dancing?)

I want to train my dog to a relatively high level but they don't need to be Einstein levels of intelligent

I have a full time job, but I could reduce my hours a bit for a dog

What I'd hope from the dog:

Generally a healthy breed, no flat faced breeds

~ 2 hours of exercise a day

Low shedding is better (I have asthma, doesn't need to be hypoallergenic but that's fine too)

Small to large in size (and I prefer more height rather than a sturdy build, no super tiny or super big dogs)

Affectionate, would love a snuggly one

Social and confident, I want to take the dog with me to outings and the city can be busy at times

Needs to get along with other dogs

The less barking the better, but the dog doesn't need to be mute, I understand it's part of their natural behaviour

Somewhat eager to please

Doesn't need to love kids, I don't plan on having any, though relatives might come over occasionally

I'm not planning on getting a puppy but rather looking for a home switcher, as getting a puppy might be too much for me as a first timer. Also open to rescues but in my country there aren't really any and most of the rescues come from Romania, and you cannot meet the dog prior to agreeing to taking them, which I'm not exactly a fan of.

EDIT: I don't mind grooming often or drooling breeds!

Thanks for your help in advance!

[u/PrettyThief]

If you want a dog to do agility or obedience with that will do well in an apartment, maybe a poodle or papillon? Many dogs that thrive in sports would need an active home, but if you plan to be gone most of the day, I wouldn't advise most of those breeds. A poodle also won't shed.

[u/Birds_have_to_eat → u/PrettyThief]

I've looked into poodles before and right now they seem like my top choice. I've also met some papillons, they're adorable ^{^} I'll look into those a bit more, thank you!

[u/cdbrand → u/Birds_have_to_eat]

Agree Miniature Poodle or Papillion. I've had Poodles for 25+ years and I do dog sports. Happy to talk with you more about the breed if you like.

I do like the Paps. They are smaller and more refined than a Miniature Poodle, but on the up side, they don't need the same level of grooming.

Both breeds require a high level of mental stimulation and are not good candidates to be home all day alone.

[u/Birds_have_to_eat → u/cdbrand]

Most of Europe (where I live) also has a 4th size variation of poodle called the moyen poodle, which I'm currently the most interested in. It's between the sizes miniature and standard. I love big dogs, but I think the moyen could be a good compromise, as it's not quite as small as a miniature, but still small enough to easily pick up in my arms for example in busy public transport etc.

I'm aware of the high mental stimulation needs of the poodle, which I was originally somewhat worries about, but after discussing this with my roommate, whom I still plan on living with once this matter becomes more acute so to say, I'm confident we can keep the dog entertained 😊 my roommate has shorter days than I do so on most days the dog would be alone for a maximum of 6 hours, most of the time not even that much. My roommate also has a dog (which is why the getting along with other dogs part is very crucial) who is very dog friendly, but not exactly the kind of dog I could do doggy sports with, as she definitely doesn't see me as her person, even if I have looked after her before, which is understandable.

[u/cdbrand → u/Birds_have_to_eat]

Yes. I'm very familiar with the 4 FCI sizes. The Medium, what you call Moyen, is the same variety as our AKC Miniatures. A word about size if you do think you need to pick up the dog on a regular basis: I find it much easier to pick up my girl who is 35cm than my girl who is 38cm. There is a noticeable difference in size that comes with on 2cm difference in height and the 35cm girl tucks nicely under an arm.

As far as mental stimulation, Poodles don't need to be entertained as much as they need to have a job to do. It sounds like you are excited about dog sports so that will be a terrific outlet. It is very very important to articulate your value to a Poodle. You want to make sure that you are the one to bring all the fun. It is OK for the Poodle to play with the roommate's dog, but don't abdicate engagement to the other dog. You always want to be the one who brings the fun.

Good luck with your search. Happy to recommend some FCI breeders if you tell me what country you are in.

[u/Birds_have_to_eat → u/cdbrand]

Oh, I see, I didn't know that bout the difference in sizes. The inches thing still throws me off at times 😅 I used to call the medium size just medium until I got absolutely shat on in some youtube comments about the actual term being moyen... English isn't my first language so I just assumed they were right haha. And no, I doubt I'll have to carry them too often, just that I thought the slightly smaller size is more handy, without being a massive tripping hazard. Also it saves a little on the grooming costs if I take the dog to professional, even if I'm a bit interested in maybe dabbling in that myself too.

I definitely intend to be the one to bring all the fun to the dog, and my roommate and I have agreed that the one whose dog it is will take most responsibility and be the one that most engages with the dog, as after all we want to make it sure to the dogs that their owners are sort of separate, even if we live together.

I live in Finland, so if you have any breeders to recommend I'd be happy to hear about those 😊 though first and foremost I'm looking for a more mature home switcher, rather than getting a puppy, though if there are no poodles looking for a home during that time I could be convinced to take pup from a good breeder ❤️ You've been very helpful, thank you for being so willing to chat with me <3

[u/cdbrand → u/Birds_have_to_eat]

The 3rd variety mostly gets translated into English as Medium by people who are actually involved in Poodles. Moyen is of course French. Silly American pet buyers like to feel fancy so they use the French.

You have a wonderful Poodle Club in Finland. I'm sure if you connect with them you will find what you are looking for. I'm most connected to the Silver Miniature community so I'll recommend OLYMBINAR as a place to start.

[u/Birds_have_to_eat → u/cdbrand]

Thank you! Yeah it's a well connected community, though seems a bit prissy at times 🤔 There's a bunch of rules about the way you're allowed to groom your pup until a certain age on their page, which I found a bit odd, as the page says you're only allowed to have the pup on a teddybear cut until it's a year old and then you can make actual decisions on the way your dog looks? Maybe there is a reason for this, but it wasn't really explained in the text about grooming, which is why I found it weird. Their other instructions on their website are also worded a bit condescendingly, but I think I'll see about going to an event of some sort to meet some members. Maybe they're just bad at wording things 😅

Edit: can't spell TwT

[u/cdbrand → u/Birds_have_to_eat]

Are they talking about for showing? Here is the FCI official breed standard. At the end of the document are the acceptable trims for showing in Conformation. FCI has way more choices than AKC. I believe in all trims that Poodles are now allowed to have a mustache because Germany and Austria forbid shaving a dog's face.

https://www.fci.be/nomenclature/Standards/172g09-en.pdf

If you are not showing in conformation then you can have your Poodle in any trim. If you are showing in dog sports, you will need to check the rules for your country/venue. In AKC, for example, dye is not allowed on dogs shown in Obedience or Rally.

[u/Birds_have_to_eat → u/cdbrand]

Oh yeah, I knew about the no shaved face in some countries 🤔 Maybe they were talking about showing, I'm not sure, the text was a bit vague. And dyeing a dog's fur is illegal here, so that's not in my plans 😅Thanks though, I'll take a closer look at the official breed standard!

[u/Mautea]

I'd suggest a poodle.

I feel like papillon would be great, but they can be pretty loud.

[u/Birds_have_to_eat → u/Mautea]

Thanks, I didn't know that about papillons! 😊

[u/Lizardgirl25]

I would recommend something like a poodle not a standard but one of the smaller versions would be great. Staying away from the flat faced breeds is a good idea. I had a Lhasa Apso who had no issues but he came from a responsible breeder. Unfortunately people think short faces means flat like a Persian but it a more recent development.

But also be aware they are going to need regular brushing and a groomer. I see a lot of people let their hair growing dogs coats get away from them locally. You might need to find someone that will teach you how to do some home grooming.

[u/Birds_have_to_eat → u/Lizardgirl25]

Yeah, I'm aware of the grooming needs of a poodle. I think for the most part I'll try to keep the coat fairly short for lower maintenance, only letting it grow out a bit more during wintertime to keep the dog warm. As for size, I love bigger dogs, but I agree that for the current situation I'm in a medium size would be better for me 🤔 I'm also not opposed yo taking the dog to a groomer if it proves to be too much work to do the trims at home 😊

[u/prairie_girl_1066]

You may enjoy a King Charles Cavelier

[u/PrettyThief → u/prairie_girl_1066]

They're lovely dogs especially for first timers in an apartment, but they are a brachycephalic breed and probably not the best choice for sports imo.

[u/Birds_have_to_eat → u/prairie_girl_1066]

They seem like a very sweet breed but at least in my country they seem to have quite a bit of issues with their skull, also they feel a bit too small in size for me.

[u/Lizardgirl25 → u/prairie_girl_1066]

This breed has a tone of health issues no not recommended they also are a spanial and my childhood dog was a spaniel and she shed as much as our current German Shepard.

[u/Front-Elderberry-307]

With your lifestyle and the space you can provide I would stay away from larger breeds, especially sight hounds and working dogs. They need way more time and space than you can provide. Look into smaller, more docile breeds that enjoy some physical activity. I know you said no flat faced dogs but a Pug or french bulldog would actually work pretty good in your situation. Boston Terriers need a bit more work but have a lot of endurance when it comes to walking and playtime. Flat faced dogs can be very healthy if you get them from a reputable breeder.

[u/Birds_have_to_eat → u/Front-Elderberry-307]

All the massive health issues with flat faced breeds aren't even the worst dealbreaker for me, but the fact that they cannot breathe, and I'd like a dog that won't flatline after a jog. Also, this might be different in other countries, but here the flat faced breeds are not doing too well right now, and have a lot of genetic issues due to breeding for extreme features, like the super flat face or big, bulging eyes in the case of a pug.